Zanzibar: PRESIDENT Hussein Mwinyi has said that the philosophies of the First Zanzibar President, the late Abeid Amani Karume, have been implemented by all past regimes and will definitely be put into action by all future leaders in the Islands.
“Actually, what we have been implementing for the past five decades, after the death of Karume, is a reflection of his views. He walked his talk. No doubt that all future leaders will make sure that they put into practice the late Karume’s philosophies,” Dr Mwinyi said in his speech read at the 6th forum organised by Mwalimu Nyerere Memorial University to commemorate Karume.
The speech was read on his behalf by Zanzibar’s Second Vice-President, Hemed Suleiman Abdulla, who also emphasised that every citizen should understand his/her country well in order to become a patriotic citizen.
“It may be impossible for you to be patriotic without knowing your country well,” he said.
He said that the late Karume used to advise citizens to learn about Zanzibar and the United Republic of Tanzania to enable them to become patriotic, noting that young people are in a better position to understand their country well.
“There is a lot to learn from the late Karume. Young people should be fed with correct information about the history of the revolution and the late Karume and the Union formed between Tanganyika and Zanzibar,” he said.
Mr Abdulla, on behalf of Dr Mwinyi, promised to consider advice from some people including Karume’s widow, Fatma Karume, to construct a museum where information about Karume and other great leaders of the country can be reserved and used for studies.
Presentations at the annual ‘Karume Day’ forum were made by Mr Shamsi Vuai Nahoda, former Chief Minister of the Zanzibar government, who talked about the importance of peace and stability in the implementation of the Blue Economy agenda, and Prof Palamagamba Kabudi, Advisor to Union President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who explained about patriotism in the sustainable development of Zanzibar.
Prof Shadrack Mwakalila, Rector, Mwalimu Nyerere Memorial Academy, and Dr Rose Mbwete, head of the Zanzibar (Karume) campus, said the college has decided to introduce and sustain forums on Karume and Mwalimu Nyerere as founders of the nation so that young people, particularly students, can learn about them and the history of the country.
Deputy Speaker of the Zanzibar House of Representatives, Ms Mgeni Hassan Juma, who chaired the forum, commended the college for organising the annual forum on late Karume and his legacies because it provides an opportunity for young people to learn.
On Sunday, Zanzibar President Hussein Mwinyi, accompanied by government, political, and religious leaders, joined residents of Zanzibar at the ruling CCM’s Kisiwandui sub-office to mark the 52nd death anniversary of Zanzibar’s first President, the late Abeid Amani Karume.
The late Karume was assassinated in 1972 at the party’s office while playing a board game.
Top leaders from the Union government included Vice-President Dr Phillip Mpango and Prime Minister Mr Kassim Majaliwa.
They conducted a special prayer for Karume and other deceased leaders led by Mr Abdulrahman Mwinyi Dedesi while the Mufti of Tanzania, Sheikh Abubakar Zubeir, addressed the gathering.
“Let us keep on remembering the late Karume and others; this is the only way for us to show our love to him. Let us also cherish his legacy: maintain peace and stability, promote unity, and work hard to build the nation,” said the Mufti.
In addition to Islam, clerics from Christian and Hindu religions were also invited to lead the prayers, which culminated in some leaders, some members of the diplomatic corps, and members of the late Karume family laying flowers on the graveyard of late Karume.
